Frost bites French wine production levels

French wine production is set to fall 18% this year, following damage done to vines by bitterly cold weather in April.

The French government has forecast that the wine harvest for 2017 will yield 37.2 million hectolitres, down 18% on the previous year and 17% below the average for the last five years.

Some areas are thought to have been particularly badly affected, with Jerome Despey, head of a governmental wine advisory board, last week predicting a 40% drop in Bordeaux and a 30% fall in Alsace.

A dry summer, particularly in the south, has also had an effect on harvests.

The price of French wine is expected to increase as a result of the difficulties with the harvest.

WSTA briefs government on drink industry's Brexit priorities >>

Lord Thurso appointed chancellor of the Wine Guild UK >>

Gerard Basset receives MSc in wine management from the OIV >>